Gezicht op een verijst water, waarop mensen met (paarden-)sleeën en een boot 'Jacob'. before 1905

Here is a picture of a frozen scene, somewhere, sometime, made by some unknown person. The scene shimmers. Is it a photograph or is it a dream? Everything is in a state of half-visibility. It all seems to be covered in a dusting of snow; even the boats and buildings in the background are muted. I can only imagine the challenges the artist faced in trying to capture such a delicate scene. Did they have to work quickly, before the ice melted? Were their hands numb with cold as they operated the camera? And look at the faint figures scattered across the ice. I wonder what they’re thinking, what they’re doing? This picture reminds me that every work of art is a conversation, an exchange of ideas between the artist and the viewer. Each interpretation is valid, each reading unique. There is so much to be discovered in the quiet contemplation of this piece, if you take the time to look.